Michigan Governor vetoes bill to allow guns on campus

CROTON FALLS, NY – Michigan governor Rick Snyder (R) has vetoed NRA backed legislation that would have allowed persons with a conceal carry permit to carry their concealed weapons in public places in Michigan that are currently off limits – public schools including college campuses, day care centers, hospitals, houses of worship, and stadiums. The legislation was approved by the Michigan legislature last Thursday, one day before the Newtown elementary school shooting.

Andy Pelosi, director of the Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus, issued the following statement.

“We applaud Gov. Snyder for vetoing this legislation. He did the right thing. It takes courage to stand up to the gun lobby. But American’s support courage. While we are all concerned with gun violence in our schools and other public places, the answer to gun violence is not more guns.”

Following the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting in Newtown, CT, the Governor came under intense pressure from education, religious, and medical groups to veto the legislation. According to news reports, calls to the governor’s office were running 5 to 1 against the legislation. In his veto message, the governor admitted that the Newtown shooting played a role in his decision.
“You can’t have it not impact you and my thoughts and prayers go with everyone in Connecticut. I know we all share that view.”

Added Pelosi, “It is sad that it takes a horrific tragedy to spur people to action. Hopefully, lawmakers will now take meaningful steps to reduce gun violence in our society. No more school children should have to die to get lawmakers to act.”

The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus was founded in 2008 to urge colleges and universities to band together to oppose the gun lobby’s agenda to push guns onto college campuses. To date, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and more than 355 individual colleges and universities in 39 states, have joined the campaign.